Argentina vs Algeria

Lionel Messi enters the 2026 World Cup on 13 career World Cup goals, three behind Miroslav Klose’s all-time record of 16. Kylian Mbappé starts on 12 goals and needs four to equal the record.

Argentina enter the 2026 World Cup unbeaten in their last six World Cup matches (4W-2D) and having scored in each of those games.

Argentina failed to win their opening match at each of the last two World Cups — drawing 1-1 with Iceland in 2018 and losing 2-1 to Saudi Arabia in 2022 — yet reached the final in both tournaments and won the title in 2022.

Lionel Messi has scored in six of Argentina's last seven World Cup matches.

Lionel Messi enters his sixth World Cup with Argentina. Only Cristiano Ronaldo and Ochoa also made it to six editions, with the latter not appearing on each occasion.

Argentina have won their last 7 international matches, going 7W-0D-0L with 21 goals scored and 1 conceded.

Messi, Otamendi and E. Martinez were the three Argentina players that did not miss a minute on the pitch at the 2022 World Cup. They are all back with the team in 2026.

Lautaro Martinez was the player with most shots (13) without scoring at the 2022 World Cup

Messi is the World Cup's all time assist leader with 9. He is followed by James, Cuadrado (Colombia), Perisic (Croatia) and Griezman (France). Only the latter is not present in 2026 to increase his tally.

Argentina are unbeaten in their 4 internationals played in 2026 (4W-0D-0L).

Argentina have kept a clean sheet in each of their last 3 international matches, going 3W-0D-0L with 10 goals scored and 0 conceded.

Argentina have won 7 of their last 8 international matches, with their only exception a defeat against Ecuador.

Argentina have scored in each of their last 9 World Cup matches, netting 19 goals in total.

Algeria have kept a clean sheet in each of their last 4 international matches, going 3W-1D-0L with 12 goals scored and 0 conceded.

Algeria are unbeaten in their last 3 World Cup matches (1W-2D-0L).

Algeria have conceded in each of their last 5 World Cup matches, letting in 7 goals in total.

Argentina and Algeria have never met at a FIFA World Cup. This will be their first World Cup encounter.

Argentina and Algeria have met 1 times in overall international fixtures: Argentina have won 1, with 0 draw(s) and 0 win(s) for Algeria.

Lionel Messi will play his 27th World Cup game, further extending his record for most ever appearances

Argentina also played a debuting team at the 2006 (Ivory Coast) and 2014 (Bosnia) World Cups and won 2-1 on both occassions

Algeria can set a new national World Cup record of 4 consecutive World Cup matches unbeaten by avoiding defeat (currently on 3).